Folding crate.



No. 715,132. Patented on. 2, I902.

1 a. OTTE.

FOLDING CRATE.

(Application filed. June 5, 1902.)

(In Modal.)

lllIlIIIII[ IIIIIIIIIII|I IIIIIIIEIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII- Urrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK G. OTTE, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING CRATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 715,132, dated D b 2, 1902.

Application filed June 5,1902. Serial No. 110,310. (No model.)

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in folding crates, and has for its object a device of this character which shall embrace novel means whereby a crate may be compactly folded for the purpose of storage or return to its destination.

A further object of the invention is a device of this character which shall be of simple and economical construction, durable and eflicient in its use, and one which will be compact when folded and constructed, so that during its return in a folded position there will be no liability of breakage.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, and specifically pointed out in the claim.

In describing the invention in detail reference is bad to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein like numerals of reference indicate like:

parts throughout the several views, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the crate in its extended position. Fig. 2 is a like view showing the crate in its folded position. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the upper end of the crate removed. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the top and one of the sides, showing more clearly the hook for securing the sides in their extended position.

The bottom 1 is preferably formed of a flat board and carries at its ends strips 2 2, which may either be formed integral therewith or secured in any approved manner. The sides 3 are preferably formed of an open frame, in which is secured the woven wire 4:. These sides 3 are hinged, as at 5, to the bottom 1, the connection, as shown, consisting of two interlocking eyes, one engaging in the bottom and the other in the side. These sides are mounted within the strips 2, carried by the bottom, and fold inwardly. The ends 6 are also formed of open frames having wovenwire netting secured therein, these ends also folding inwardly and being hinged on! the upper edge of the strips 2, as at 7, the hinge connection being similar to that employed on the sides. The ends of course are of slightly less width than the sides, since they are mounted on the strips 2 and which in order to have their upper ends extend in horizontal alinement with the upper ends of the sides must of course be shorter. The top 8 consists of an open frame, to one side of which is hinged, as at 9 9, the door 10, also formed of an open frame and having woven-wire netting secured therein. The open frame of the top is bound throughout its edges with a metallic strip 11, which extends below the under side of the top for a distance, as will be noted from Fig. 5. Pivotally mounted at the end of the top, as at 12, are double-jointed arms 13, pivoted together, as at 14,the lower of the arms being pivotally supported by the metal strip 15, which is secured to the under side of the base 1 and which extends out and upwardly therefrom,

pivotallyreceiving the said lower arm, as at 16. Thus it will be noted that by merely pressing the arms at their joints inwardly the top may be made to occupy the position shown in Fig. 2. The metal strip 11 when the top is in its folded position will inclose and receive the ends of the outer side of the folding ends 6, as will be obvious. It will also be noted that the top is secured in its extended position and held by means of the sides as well as the ends, the sides being received within the folding ends and prevent the same from foldin g inwardly when in their extended position, the sides being prevented from folding inwardly by means of the spring finger 17, Fig. 5, secured, as at 18, to the under side of the top, the end 19 of this spring-finger being doubled upon itself and bent outwardly at right angles to the major portion of the finger in order that the same may be grasped to permit of the springbeing disengaged from the sides in order that the latter may be folded inwardly. One of these springs is provided for each side, of course, as will be understood.

When it is desired to fold the crat the spring-fingers are released from engagement with the sides, and these sides are then folded inwardly, as shown in Fig. 3, the ends 6 then being folded inwardly, as shown, at which time the joint of the double-jointed arm is broken, and the top is thus permitted to move downwardly to seat upon the upper sides of the ends. The metal strip which incloses the top has its depending portion inclosing the ends as well as the outer side of the folding ends 6, which will readily protect the same during transportation, as will be understood. It will be noted that the metal strip carried by the top serves to limit the lateral movement of the folding sides and ends and engages the latter when the crate is in its extended position.

While in the drawings I have shown the most practical embodiment of the invention, still it is obvious that slight changes may be made in the details of construction and combination of parts without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention, such as substituting other means for securing the sides in their extended position.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

In a device of the type set forth, the combination with the bottom having end strips, of folding ends hinged onto the upper edge of said strips, folding sides hinged to the said bottom, a top having a double-jointed connection with the bottom, spring-held fingers adapted for engagement with said sides to secure the latter in their extended positions, said fingers being carried by the under side of the top, the sides engaging the bottom, and the ends engaging on top the sides when the device is in the folded position, with the sides supporting the top, and a metal strip inclosing the edge of the top and depending therefrom, said strip inclosing the ends when in their folded position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FREDERICK G. OTTE. Witnesses:

JOHN NOLAND, E. E. POTTER. 

